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Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 31 October 2001
DEFENCE
Submarines
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he has taken to sell submarines in the last two years; with whom he negotiated; and if he will make a statement. [10138]
Dr. Moonie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my noble Friend Lord Robertson, the then Secretary of State for Defence, gave on 6 April 1998, Official Report, column 56W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth (John Healey) and my answers to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 23 October 2000, Official Report, column 30W, and 19 December 2000, Official Report, column 89W, the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on 31 October 2000, Official Report, column 341W, the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) on 20 December 2000, Official Report, column 184W, the hon. Member for Grantham and Stamford (Mr. Davies) on 20 July 2001, Official Report, column 717W, and the hon. Member for Henley (Mr. Johnson) on 20 July 2001, Official Report, columns 717–18W.
Canada has acquired the four ex-Royal Navy Upholder class submarines. The acquisition takes the form of an eight-year lease with the option of outright purchase.
The first of the refurbished submarines was handed over to Canada on 6 October 2000, with the second submarine being handed over to Canada on 4 October 2001. It is planned that the two remaining submarines will follow over the next 14 months. Canada has exercised its option to purchase outright the first submarine, HMCS Victoria.
Military Equipment (Updating)
Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the armed forces have to update existing military equipment with particular reference to radio communications equipment, following the contribution of UK forces to the conflict in Afghanistan. [10498]
Dr. Moonie: I have nothing to add to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave on 29 October 2001, Official Report, columns 513–14W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann).
Armed Forces (Recruitment)
Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent initiatives have been taken to increase the level of recruitment to the armed forces. [10571]
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Mr. Ingram: All three services undertake numerous and varied initiatives, both at national and local level, aimed at increasing the level of recruitment to the armed forces. Included among the many current initiatives are:
- The use of multi-media advertising campaigns.
Services' Recruiting Teams' attendance at schools, careers fairs and Graduate Recruitment Seminars, road shows, exhibitions, youth clubs and organisations.
Work experience placements within service establishments.
Personal Development Courses and 'Look at Life' Courses for people who express an interest in the armed forces.
Taster Day visits to HM ships and service establishments.
A dedicated careers website for each of the services.
Introduction by the Army of an 'on-line' recruiting office, with plans for this to be replicated by the other services.
Specialist Ethnic Minority Recruiting and Diversity Action Teams aimed at promoting armed forces careers to ethnic minority communities.
A partnership with the Employment Service, making use of its local outlets 'Jobcentre Plus'.
RAF St. Athan
Mr. John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the consultants' report on the relocation of the fixed wing aircraft repair business of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency from RAF St. Athan to Cardiff International airport. [10765]
Mr. Ingram: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 20 July 2001, Official Report, column 707W. The position has not changed.
Mr. John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from business in the Vale of Glamorgan on the Defence Aviation Repair Agency's unsuccessful attempt to relocate its fixed wing aircraft repair business from RAF St. Athan to Cardiff International airport. [10766]
Mr. Ingram: The only representation received to date by the Chief Executive of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) was from Mr. Derek Gaynor, the landlord of the Highwayman Inn in Nurston.
Mr. Gaynor has since been informed about the current position concerning Cardiff International airport by officials from the Welsh Development Agency.
Armed Forces (Training)
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received regarding the (a) Defence Intelligence and Security Centre defence agency review of training of armed forces and (b) other intelligence agencies; and if he will make a statement. [11453]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 30 October 2001]: The Defence Intelligence and Security Centre (DISC) is not conducting a review of training, but is undergoing a Quinquennial Review (QQR) of its agency status, part of which will involve an analysis of current and future training activity. This review was announced on 20 July 2001, Official Report, column 710W. Comments were requested by 15 September 2001 and to date we have received one representation. The review is due to be complete by February 2002.
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Separately, the report of the Defence Training Review, announced to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 27 March 2001, Official Report, column 545W, included a proposal to collocate security training, language training and possible joint photographic training. On 19 July, I announced that the DISC was being examined as the Ministry of Defence's benchmark site for security, intelligence, language and photography training, Official Report, column 334W.
The only other intelligence agency within the MOD is the Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency (DGIA), which was launched on 1 April 2000, formed from the merger of two defence intelligence agencies, the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (JARIC) and Military Survey. The DGIA provides imagery intelligence and geographic support to defence policy, planning, operations and training.
Road Safety Report 1999–2000
Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Defence Annual Road Safety report for 1999–2000 will be placed in the Library. [11499]
Mr. Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25 October 2001, Official Report, columns 321–22W. I stated that the report would be placed in the Library of the House shortly, and I am pleased to confirm that this was done on 29 October 2001.
HMS Ocean
Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what nature of refit is required by HMS Ocean; and if he will make a statement. [11497]
Mr. Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces to the Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 20 November 2000, Official Report, column 12W.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mechanical problems are being repaired on HMS Ocean; when repairs are expected to be completed; when HMS Ocean will be ready for re-deployment; and if he will make a statement. [11815]
Mr. Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer which the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces gave him on 20 November 2000, Official Report, column 12W.
Subject to operational considerations, HMS Ocean will be available for operational tasking by late spring 2002, following completion of the routine docking period.
Defence Logistics Organisation
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he expects Defence Logistics Organisation (a) current expenditure and (b) capital expenditure to be within their respective estimates provision in the current financial year; and if he will indicate the relevant figures. [11577]
Mr. Ingram: The estimates provision at the start of the year for the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) was made up of £3,421 million for current and £612 million for capital expenditure. As I explained in my reply of
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26 October 2001, Official Report, columns 405–06W, in the normal course of business there are adjustments to these limits as the year unfolds, which will be finalised in time for the spring supplementary estimates. We would expect DLO expenditure to be within estimates provision at the year end.
Joint Strike Fighter Programme
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the Joint Strike Fighter programme. [11576]
Mr. Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 29 October 2001, Official Report, column 514W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Linda Gilroy).
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